Wednesday 7 October 2015

Review: Look Both Ways by Carol J. Perry

In the mood for a little light hearted whodunnit with a dusting of paranormal sugar.

In Salem, Massachusetts, there are secret everywhere--even in the furniture. . .

When Lee Barrett spots the same style oak bureau she once had as a child on the WICH-TV show, Shopping Salem, she rushes to the antiques shop and buys the piece. Just like the beloved bureau she lost in a fire, this one has secret compartments. It also comes with an intriguing history--it was purchased in an estate sale from a home where a famous local murder took place.

The day after the bureau is delivered, Lee returns to the antiques shop and finds the owner dead. The police suspect the shop owner's unscrupulous business partner, but Lee wonders if the murder is connected to her new furniture. At least part of the answer may be revealed through a mirror in the bureau, tarnished and blackened, allowing Lee to tap into her psychic visions. Using this bureau of investigation, Lee may be able to furnish her policeman beau with the evidence needed to catch the killer--before the next one to be shut up is her. . .

My Thoughts:

Cozy feel good mystery with a paranormal twist. The third in a series set in Salem, Massachusetts; This book stands up well on its own but is so good that you will want to read the whole series.

Lee Barrett who is furnishing her almost empty apartment is delighted when she finds a bureau which appears to be identical to one lost in a fire. The bureau holds secrets in more more ways than one and forms the pivot in the puzzle, to solve two murders. She is romantically involved with Pete, a local police detective. What Pete doesn't know is that Lee is a “scryer" and still coming to terms with her gift of visions which are messages from the dead and departed.

Lee works as a teacher at the drama college (Tabitha Trumball Academy Of The Arts) but volunteers for a job over the summer sourcing props for three student productions. With her limited budget and an old but trusty pick-up truck at her disposal this gives her plenty of opportunity to checkout secondhand shops and yard sales. Given her own preference for preloved over new she is easily able to combine her new job with the much needed task of furnishing her apartment.

This book was a delight to read packed full of interesting characters and situations. I really liked all the characters in this book who were all very easy to relate to. Being set in Salem I really enjoyed too reading about the surroundings and local history which tied in well with the storyline. O'Ryan the cat is absolutely delightful in his role of witches familiar and even seems to have powers of his own.

The story is a cozy mystery with a light dusting of paranormal to add extra interest making it a mystery first and a paranormal tale second with some romantic interest thrown in for good measure. I found the whodunnit a little predictable but the story was extremely well told with some really nice twists. Boyfriend Pete was more of a mystery than some of the other characters; I hope to get to know him better in the anticipated next instalment.

This is my first Carol L. Perry novel but I enjoyed it so much that I am planning on reading the previous two books in the series.

Recommended and a perfect Halloween read.

What others are saying:

Kirkus Reviews - "Perry’s fans, who are likely more invested in the sweet character interactions and long-term development than the intrusive question of whodunit, will find this perfectly relaxing and readable."

Lisa via GoodReads - "I was so intrigued by this storyline that I had to locate the first two in the series so I could catch up on Lee’s previous activities.

Karen via GoodReads - "The third book is wonderful! Lighter in feel then the first two but so much goes on! Loved it and think this is a fantastic series!


  • Format: ebook and paperback
  • Author: Carol J. Perry
  • Publisher: Kensington (27 Oct. 2015)
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